NZEREKORE, Guinea — A stampede triggered by violent clashes at a football match in Guinea’s southeastern city of Nzerekore has left dozens feared dead, with some reports estimating fatalities could be as high as 100, according to health officials.
The violence erupted on Sunday afternoon during a tournament match between local teams, after a controversial referee decision sparked anger among fans. According to Guineenews, supporters of the visiting team, Labe, began hurling stones onto the pitch in protest.
Police responded with tear gas, which escalated tensions and led to a stampede as fans fled the stadium. “There are bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital,” one doctor told AFP. “Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full.”
Government response
Guinea’s Prime Minister Bah Oury condemned the violence and urged calm in a statement on X. He said the government was gathering information and would issue a formal statement after assessing the situation.
Following the stampede, angry demonstrators vandalized and set fire to the Nzerekore police station, further intensifying the chaos. Local news site Mediaguinee reported that clashes between young fans and security forces reached a boiling point in the game’s final moments.
“It all started with a contested decision by the referee. Then fans invaded the pitch,” a witness told AFP.
Political overtones
The match was part of a tournament organized in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup and has since installed himself as president. The tournament has drawn criticism from opposition groups, including the National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy (ANAD), which accused Doumbouya of using the event to bolster a potential presidential bid in elections expected next year.
ANAD labeled the tournament an attempt to advance Doumbouya’s “illegal and inappropriate candidacy,” further fueling political tensions in the region.
Uncertain Death Toll
While exact casualty figures remain unclear, health officials cited by AFP described the death toll as being in the dozens, with some estimates suggesting around 100 fatalities. Graphic images circulating on social media showed bodies of the deceased and injured scattered across the stadium and hospital grounds.
The tragedy highlights Guinea’s struggle with political instability and unrest under Doumbouya’s military regime. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident, but questions remain about whether the escalating violence and loss of life could have been prevented.
